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The simple concept that small acts of kindness make meaningful differences.

What happens when one small act of kindness multiplies?

The Rule of 5 is inspired by the story of “The Star Thrower,” an essay written by Loren Eiseley in 1989. The essay is 16 pages long and philosophical, but the concept is very simple: small acts of kindness can make a difference –

We want to encourage everyone to be a Star Thrower.

Two people walk along a beach where thousands of starfish have washed onshore. One person stops, picks up a starfish, and throws it back into the ocean. The other says, “Why bother? You can’t save them all.” The first person replies, “No, but I made a difference to that one ."

How It Works

The Rule of 5 demonstrates how small acts of kindness can create rippling impacts across communities, transforming individual gestures into meaningful societal change. We believe positive change doesn’t require grand gestures or massive resources. If we take the time to consider others, those individual acts of kindness can transform communities worldwide.

We identified 5 ranges – 5 Blocks, 5 Miles, 50 Miles, 500 Miles, 5000 Miles – where you can start to consider how you can make a difference in your neighborhood, your community, your city, your country and your planet.

The recipient of YOUR simple act of kindness can be a person, organization, or charity – across the street or on the other side of the world. Our hope is that these gifts of kindness will multiply and grow, and will be much greater than we can imagine!

Within a neighborhood, community, nation or world… Here are some of our 5 to get you started!

5 Blocks

Strengthen Your Neighborhood
- Leave a kind note for someone
- Help a neighbor with a. small task
- Share a meal with a coworker
- Offer to babysit free of charge

5 Miles

Empower Your Community
- Donate clothes to a shelter
- Send an email to someone making a difference in your community
- Drop off school supplies to community centers
- Call a friend that you have not spoken to in 6 months

50 Miles

Champion Local Charities
- Make an online donation (any amount will do) for a local charity
- Purchase needed items for local animal shelter
- Write review/recommendation for local nonprofits
- Create digital awareness about local causes

500 Miles

Engage with National Causes
- Make a donation to a charity (any amount will do)
- Invite friends to support charities
- Sign online petitions for meaningful causes
- Donate to national humanitarian efforts

5,000 Miles

Connect Globally
- Find a charity that sells products and support their endeavors
- Microfinance through online platforms
- Take the time to learn more about a cause & share the information with others
- Support international scholarship funds

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About The Gift of 5

Every year Marshall Advertising, in Tampa, Florida, sends client gifts all over the country. 2024 was an eventful year for Marshall Advertising, including the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. Their CEO and Co-Founder, Jennifer Marshall, desired to find a way to make their holiday gift-giving more meaningful.
From this humble desire, Jennifer developed the concept of The Gift of 5. Each client was gifted a children’s book to be given away, and then challenged to start thinking about what their own 5 acts of kindness might be.

Jennifer Marshall truly lives her altruistic desire to make the world a better place. Through her personal consideration of employees, her attention and commitment to her clients and vendors, to multiple charities and efforts that impact people across the globe – she is proud to now champion her newest effort, The Rule of 5.

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